Legged structure



0C1. 1932- c. J. SYMMONDS LEGGED STRUCTURE Filed June 28. 1928 2Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 18, 1932. c. J. SYMMONDS LEGGED STRUCTURE Filed June28. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 18, 1932 UNET STATES PATENTQFFICE CHARLES J. SYMMONDS, OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY, KENOSHA,WISCONSIN LEGGED STRUCTURE Application filed June 28,

This invention relates to improvements in legged structures (such astables, bedsteads, benches, chairs and the like), and particularly tolegged structures of the collapsible or knockdown type, in which thelegs are capable of being folded upon the bodyportion of the structure,when the same is packed for shipment, or placed in storage or put away"after use, at which time economy of space is necessary to be exercised.

An object of this invention is to provide a structure of the class justmentioned which will be simple in construction, comparatively cheap inmanufacture and highly eflicient in operation and use. Another object ofthis invention resides in the provision of a structure of this knockdowntype which will prove firm and rigid when set up for use.

In the drawings illustrating this invention and the best mode now knownto me of applying the principle thereof, Fig. 1 is a bottom plan View ofa table (such as a card table), the legs being shown folded against thetable-top; Fig. 2 is an isometric View of the same, the table beingshown inverted and one of the legs thereof being illustrated in theprocess of being thrown into inoperative position; Figs. 3 and 4 aredetails illustrating one of the table-legs in elevation; Fig. 5 is adetail illustrating one of the legbracing rocker-arms; Fig. 6 is adetail showing a leg-engaging spring-catch; Fig. 7 is a detail showingone of the angles that receive or engage the tops or heads of thetable-legs; Fig. 8 is a detail illustrating, in isometric view, afragment of a table-leg provided with means for attachment of one of theleg-bracing rocker-arms; and Fig. 9 is a detail illustrating, inisometric view, another form of catch by which the table-leg isdetachably secured to the table-top.

The table-top A comprises a frame I) to which is suitably fastened apiece of beaverboard a (or the like) that serves, in a cardtable, as thecard-playing surface, when appropriately faced and finished. The fourtable-legs 0 are of the same construction and a description of one ofthem will serve as a description of all of them. In the table-leg 0,between the ends d, (2, thereof, there is bored 1928. Serial No.288,995.

a hole f at each end of which there is mounted a wear-plate 9 formedwith a hole g that is in register with the hole f. The wear-plates g arefastened together in any suitable way, as by means of a rivet g. Throughthe holes f, 9, there is passed a metal rod h, which is then bent intoapproximately V-shape (Fig. 5). To the bottom face of the table-top A,there is fastened a pair of bars 11 that cross each other atsubstantially right angles. The ends h, h, of the rod h are bent atsubstantially right angles to the main or body part of the rod h. Theinner end h is pivotally mounted in one of the cross-bars 2', while theouter end it is pivotally mounted in one side-piece of the main frame I)of the tabletop A. The table-leg 0 is free to rotate or turn upon themid-part h* of the V-shaped member h; and the latter member is free torock on its ends h, It, so that the member it functions as a doublerocker-arm, when the tableleg c is being thrown into and out ofoperative position (see Fig. 2). It is furthermore important to notethat, when the tableleg 0 is in upright or operative position, theV-shaped member It performs the duty of a double brace and braces theleg in a plurality of directions and confers upon the structure greatrigidity and stability, when it is set up. In each of the four cornersof the frame I) of the table-top A, there is mounted an L-shapedangle-iron with which are adapted to engage, the walls of a recess 0formed in in the upper end of the table-leg a, when the latter is throwninto upright or operative position. In this way, the table-leg a is madesusceptible of being detachably secured to the table-top A in thatposition. To each side of the frame 5, there is fastened one end 7: of aspring-wire catch (Fig. 6) the other end is of which is free and extendsinto a groove (not shown) in a side of the frame I) and in closeproximity to the angle-piece 7' adjacent to it. Into the notched upperend or head 6 of the table-leg 0, there is forced a screw m (Figs. 3 and4), in such a way that the head m of the screw m projects inclined tothat side of the table-leg 0 into which the screw m is driven. When thetable-leg 0 is thrown into its upright, operative position, the inclinedhead m of the screw m is thrust and wedged past the free end is of thespring-wire catch is and presses that end As away from the head 6 of thetable-leg c. lVhen the latter is forced home into its operativeposition, the free end 7:" of the wire catch L springs beneath the inclined head m of the screw m and there and then serves to retain thehead 0 of the tableleg 0 in interlocking engagement with the angle-piecej and thereby with the table-top A. In order to facilitate the passageof the upper end of the table-leg 0 over the free end is of thewire-catch 70, that end of the tableleg 0 may be chamfered or bevelled,as shown at 0", Fig. 3. Projecting from the inner face of each side ofthe frame b, there is the rounded head it of a screw 1?. that is driveninto the latter (Fig. 1). The member h is preferably made of a material,such as steel wire, that is resilient. The rounded head n projects intothe path of travel of that arm it of the member h that extendssubstantially parallel to the table-leg 0 with which the member k isunited. When the table-leg 0 is folded into its inoperative positionagainst the table-top A, the arm 72 springs over the rounded head a,which then serves to retain, free to be released, the arm h and thetable-leg c therewith connected.

In the manufacture of the hereinbeforedescribed table, the doublerocker-arm and brace h, in being united to the tableleg c, is passedthrough the holes 9, f, 9', before it is bent into V-shape. In order toexpedite this operation of combining the member it with the table-leg,the arrangement of parts illustrated in Fig. 8 may be adopted. Here thetable-leg 0 is formed with a channel or groove 0 that is adapted anddesigned to receive the part if of the member h. The channel-like memberp, which comprises a plate p formed with a pair of flanges or wings p"(only one of which is shown in Fig. 8), is provided with a pair of holes39 disposed opposite each other. The piece of stout wire out of whichthe member h is fash ioned is passed through the holes p and is thenbent to the required V-shape, whereupon the member p, with the member htherewith connected, may be readily attached to the tableleg 0, by meansof the screws 0", or otherwise. When the table-leg 0 and the members 7and h are in assembled relation, the part h* of the member it will befound to be fltted rotatably in the groove 0 provided for it.

An alternative construction for the interlocking of the upper end of thetable-leg with the table-top A is illustrated in Fig. 9. A piece of flatmetal 7' is so bent as to form an offset or recess 0 and one wall 7* ofthe latter is bent inwardly at one of its edges so that it forms aflange 7"". A hole r* is formed in another of the faces of the offset1". At its ends, the metal piece 7" is bent so that it may be fittedinto one of the corners formed by the meeting of a pair of theside-members of the frame I); and it is secured in that corner by meansof the screws 8. The offset 1" is so shaped and is of such a size thatthe upper end or head of the leg t of the table has a sliding fittherein. The head of the leg t is encased in a wear-cap t of durablemetal. I/Vhen the metal piece 1" is properly positioned and fastened inthe corner of the frame I) (as illustrated in Fig. 9), the offset r,together with the opposed face 6 of one of the sidemembers of the frame6 and the table-top, forms a socket adapted to receive the head of thetable-leg t; and the upward thrust and travel of the latter in beingpositioned in the socket is limited by the lip or flange 1"" that servesas a stop-lug. The leg t is held releasably fastened in the socket oroffset 1" by the following arrangement of parts Extending lengthwise inone of the sides of the leg t, there is formed a channel or groove t theupper end of which is enlarged and rounded out so that it may permit theinward movement of the end of the thumb of the person who desires torelease the table-leg t from the offset 1". In the other (or lower) endof the groove 25', there is fastened a leafspring 10 at its lower end.The opposite free end of the leaf-spring uis given the form of a tooth uthe upper face u of which is chamfered to permit the ready introductionof the capped head of the table-leg t into the offset 1". Theleaf-spring u extends upwardly and within the wear-cap t and the tooth uprojects outwardly through a hole formed in one side of the wear-cap 6.When the table-leg t is thrust into the offset 1" so that the wear-cap tabuts against the stop-lug 7", the tooth u is brought into register withthe hole 9 formed in one of the lateral walls of the offset 7",whereupon the tooth u is forced outwardly through the hole r*automatically, that is, by the resiliency of the leaf-spring u. Thus,the table-leg t is detachably fastened to the offset 1"- andtherethrough to the table-top A. To release the table-leg if when thetable is to be knocked-down or collapsed, it is only necessary to pressthe leaf-spring u towards the table-leg t sufliciently to disengage theinterlock of the tooth u with the walls of the hole r*; the table-leg Itmay then be Withdrawn from the offset 1".

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have hereinshown and described the preferred form of this invention; but I desireit to be distinctly understood that I fully realize that changes may bemade in the structure herein disclosed without departing from the spiritof this invention, and thatIintendto include within the scope of theclaims that follow hereinafter all modifications of the preferred formof this invention that do not depart substantially from the spiritthereof. For example, means other than the ones shown for detachablysecuring the table-leg to the table-top may be provided without anydeparture from the spirit of this invention; and so, too, may other waysof assembling the table-leg with the double rocker-arm and brace bedevised. Moreover, two single rocker-arms may, without departing fromthe spirit of this invention, be substituted for the one doublerocker-arm herein provided.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described an element to be supported,V-shaped braces pivotally mounted on the element, legs pivotedintermediate their ends to the bight portion of the braces and meansrigid with said element for engaging the legs when in supportingposition.

2. In a device of the class describedman element tobesupported, a framefixed to the element, V-shaped braces pivoted at their ends in theframe, legs pivoted to the bight portion of the braces and means rigidwith said frame to engage the legs when in supporting position.

3. In a device of the class described an ele ment to be supported,V-shaped braces pivotally mounted on the element, legs pivoted to thebight portion of the braces, means on the element to engage and fix thelegs in certain positions thereof and complementary means on said legsto co-operate with the first means.

4. In a device of the class described an element to be supported,V-shaped braces pivotally mounted on the element, legs pivoted to thebight portion of the braces, means on the element to engage and fix thelegs in certain positions thereof and a. slot and lug provided on thelegs to co-operate with said means.

5. In a device of the class described an element to be supported,V-shaped braces pivotally mounted on the element, legs pivoted to thebight portion of the braces, guides and catches on the element to engageand fix the legs in certain positions thereof and a slot and lugprovided on the leg ends to co-operate with said guides and catches.

6. In a device of the class described an element to be supported, aframe fixed to the element, V-shaped braces pivoted in the frame, legspivoted to the bight portion of the braces and means on said frame toengage and fix the legs in supporting position thereof and engage saidbraces in folded position thereof.

7. In a device of the class described provided with legs adapted to beadjusted into supporting and folded position, an element to besupported, V-shaped braces pivoted on the element, legs pivoted to thebight portion of the braces and means on said element to fix the legs intheir supporting position and in their folded position.

8. In a device of the class described provided with legs adapted to beadjusted into supporting and folded positions, an element tobgsiipported, Vshaped braces ph oted on the element, legs pivoted on thebight portion of the braces and means on said element cooperating withthe legs to fix them in supporting position and with the braces toposition the legs in folded position.

9. In a device of the class described provided with legs adapted to beadjusted into supporting and folded position, an element to besupported, V-shaped braces pivoted on the element, legs pivoted to thebight portion of the braces and means on said element co-operatingresiliently with said braces to maintain the legs in their foldedposition.

10. In a device of the class described a supported element, legreceiving means on the element, V-shaped leg braces pivoted to saidelement, legs pivoted intermediate their ends to the bight portion ofsaid braces, said leg receiving means embracing angular portions of theleg to prevent pivoting of the leg within the means.

11. In a device of the class described, an element to be supported, aframe on the element, crossed bars on the bottom of the element,V-shaped braces each pivoted on one side to the frame and on the otherside to a bar, legs pivoted to the bight portion of the braces and meanson the element for positioning the legs.

12. In a device of the class described, an element to be supported, aframe on the element, bars on the element, V-shaped braces pivoted inthe frame and bars and legs pivoted to the bight portions of the braces.

13. In a device of the class described, an element to be supported, aframe on the element, crossed bars on the element, V-shaped braces eachpivoted to the frame and a bar and legs pivoted on the bight portion ofthe braces.

14. In a device of the class described, an element to be supported, aframe on the element, crossed and diagonally disposed bars on theelement, V-shaped braces each pivoted in the frame and one of thecrossed bars and legs pivoted to the bight portion of the braces.

15. In a device of the class described, an element to be supported,V-shaped braces pivotally mounted on the element, legs pivoted to thebight portion of the braces, rigid sections on the element, offsets inthe sections for engaging the legs in their supporting position andmeans for fixing the legs in the offsets.

16. In a device of the class described, an element to be supported,V-shaped braces pivotally mounted on the element, legs pivoted to thebight portion of the braces, rigid sections on the element, offsets inthe sections for engaging the legs in their supporting position, a slotin the offsets, and means cooperating with the slots to fix the legs inthe offsets.

17. In a device of the class described, an element to be supported,V-shaped braces pivotally mounted on the element, legs pivoted to thebight portion of the braces, rigid sections on the element, offsets inthe sections for engaging the legs in their supporting position, a slotin the offsets and a tooth on the legs for cooperation with the slots tofix the legs in the ofisets.

Signed at the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia, thistwenty-eighth day of June, 1928.

CHAS. J. SYMMONDS.

